Flashlight comprising permanently assembled lamp, cell, housing, and switch structure



June 17, 1952 F. H. MULLER 2,600,418

FLASHLIGHT COMPRISING PERMANENTLY ASSEMBLED LAMP, CELL, HOUSING, AND SWITCH STRUCTURE Filed March 25, 1949 INVEN TOR. Frdzazzd llMz'iffez' BY Patented June 17, 1952 FLASHLIGHT COMPRISING PERMANENTLY ASSEMBLED LAMP, CELL, HOUSING, AND

SWITCH STRUCTURE Ferdinand H. Miiller, Roseland, N. J.

Application March 25, 1949, Serial No. 83,414

Claims.

The present invention relates to portable flash lights, and more particularly to such flash lights wherein a dry cell, a lamp and switch means are irremovably secured to provide a unitary struc ture.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved flash light of the foregoing character which is inexpensive in construction and can be sold at such a low cost whereby it is economically feasible to discard the entire structure when the energy of the dry cell has been consumed.

Another object is to provide such a flash light which is constructed of simple and/cr'standard parts adapted to be manufactured and assembled on a low cost mass production basis.

Another object is to provide such a flash light wherein the parts are effectively retained in as sembled relation prior to final securement.

Another object is to provide such a flash light wherein the parts are so formed and arranged to facilitate irremovable securement.

Another object is to provide such a flash light wherein accidental operation of the switch means is prevented while the flash light is carried on the person.

A further object is to provide such a flash light wherein the switch means is in the form of a pocket engagingclip. 7

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

In accordance with the invention, the foregoing objects are generally accomplished by providing a flash light which comprises a dry cell, a lamp having one terminal electrically connected to one terminal of the cell, a switch element operable to electrically connect the other terminal of the cell and the other terminal of the lamp to establish a closed circuit, and means for irremovably securing the cell, lamp and switch element, such means preferably constituting a non-conductive tube for housing the cell and a mass of cementitious or resinous material for uniting the cell, lamp and switch element in their aforementioned relation. The switch element may be in the form of a pocket engaging clip and of a construction which facilitates its cooperation with other parts both during assembly and after final securement thereof.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Figure l is an elevational view of a flash light in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the flash light shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the switch element utilized in the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a flash light construction illustrating a modification of the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail and more particularly to Figures 1 to 4 thereof, there is shown a unitary portable flash light construction comprising a dry cell It or its equivalent, a tube [1, a lamp l2 and a switch element Hi.

The cell I0 is of standard construction and preferably is of the cylindrical type wherein a I metallic casing l5 constitutes one of the electrodes and provides a side terminal, and an axially extending electrode projects from the upper end of the cell to provide an end terminal IS.

The tube H is an open ended hollow cylinder formed to snugly house the cell I0 and frictionally retain the same therein prior to final securement. The tube extends beyond the upper end of the cell to provide a space for the purpose about to bemade apparent, and has an aperture l1 (Figures 1 and 3) in the side wall thereof. The tube may be constructed of electrically nonconductive material, such as paper, cardboard, fibre, synthetic plastics or the like. A spirally wound cardboard tube provided with a printed exterior paper surface is preferred because of its cheapness, general availability and ease of decorating the same for attractiveness, or product identifying or advertising purposes.

The lamp l2, as shown in Figure 3, is of the baseless, focusing type, and comprises a glass or transparent synthetic plastic hollow body [9, a pair of leg wires 20 and H having one end extending outwardly of the body to provide terminals, and a resistance element 22 bridging the inner ends of the leg wires to provide the illuminating means.

The switch element 14, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, is formed of electrically conductive material, preferably somewhat resilient springy metallic flat stock which readily lends itself to forming and shaping operations. The switch merals with a suflixed thereto.

element comprises a U-shaped upper end portion 24 provided with offset tabs 25 and a recess 26 between the tabs at the free end thereof, and an outer depending leg portion 21 offset with respect to the upper end portion at 28 and provided with an inwardly facing V-shaped projection 30 in registry with the aperture I l of the tube II. The element l4, as illustrated and described herein, is adapted to serve as a combined pocket engaging clip and switch means.

The foregoing described elements preferably are assembled by inserting. the cell It into the tube H in the manner shown, placing the lamp l2 in the space provided by the tube above the cell, soldering or otherwise securing the leg wire to the cell terminal [6, folding the free end of the leg wire 2| over the upper edge of the tube, and positioning the U-shaped portion 2 3 of the element I4 to grip the upper end of the tube and to clamp the leg wire 2! in electrical contact" therewith, In performing the latter operation; the; recess 26 receivesthe leg wire 2i to center it with respect to the U-shaped portion and to prevent lateral movement or displacement. thereof; whereby a good electrical contact is assuredwhich will not be disturbed betweenipre-assembly and final securement of the parts.

In order to irremovably secure the parts in the aforesaid assembled relation, a mass of cementitious or resinous electrically non-conductive material Si is placed in the space provided by the tube II above the cell It to embed therein the lower end of the lamp l2, the leg wires Hand 2!, and the free end part of the H U-shaped portion 24. Upon setting of the material, the tabs are firmly rooted and the element I4 is secured to withstand rough usage bothasa switch and a pocket clip.

Theiflashlight is operated by simply pressing the depending'portion 270i the element it inwardly towardsthe'cell and tube, whereby the projection extends through the aperture 67 and engages the side terminal of the cell to close the electrical circuit. When the portion 2'! is released, the springiness of the material of which the element is formed effects its return to open circuit position. When the flash light is carried in the: pocket of the apparel of a person and the element 54 is used as a clip, a

layer of material of the pocket extends between the aperture I! and the projection 36 to pre-l vent an accidental electrical contact to be established, thereby insuring longer life of the cell.

InFi'guIeiS, amodified flash light construction is illustrated wherein identical parts are designatedby like reference numerals and similar parts are' designated by like reference nu- V The essential difference between'this modification and the embodiment just described is in the lamp 12a and the element Ma.

The lamp l2c'shown in Figure 5 is of the screwthreaded base, socket securing type, wherein the exterior of the base provides a terminal 2w projecting partially above the material 3i with the screw threads thereon being rooted in the material 3!, andithel'end terminal 26a is soldered to the cell terminal l6. This type of lamp has an; advantage in that leg wires need not be handled in the assembly operations.

The element Ma comprises a U-shaped upper endiportion 2 1a bent upon itself and providing anarm'32llfor. contacting the lamp terminal 2 la,

an inner depending leg 34 between the tube H and the side terminal provided by the case 15 of the cell to form an electrical connection with the latter, and an outer depending leg portion 21a offset at 29c and beaded at its free end 35 to provide a pocket engaging clip.

The flash light illustrated and described in connection wit-hFigure 5, is operated by pressing the outwardly projecting portion of the arm 32 inwardly whereby the inner free end of the arm contacts the terminal 2m to establish an electrical circuit.

From the. foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved unitary flash light structure, which can be readilymanufactured and assembled and can be used conveniently. The flash light is so economically constructed that it can be discarded when the cell expires. The parts of the flash light structure are irremovably secured in an effective manner and can readily withstand such rough usage to which they normally may be subjected without separating or otherwise becoming ineffective.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim:

1. A flash light. comprising a dry cell, a nonconductive tube housing said cell and extending beyond the upper end thereof, said tube having an aperture in the side thereof, a lamp having one leg wire electrically connected to the upper end terminal of said cell, a switch element having a U-shaped portion provided with inner and outer legs engaging the upper end of said tube and having the other leg wire of said lamp electrically connected thereto, said switch element having a portion extending lengthwise along the exterior of said tube provided with a portion adaptedto extend through. said aperture and contact the side terminal of said cell to establish a closed circuit, and a mass of material in the upper end of said tube in which said lamp is partially embedded for irremovably securing said cell, lamp, switch element and tube to provide a unitary structure, the inner leg of said U-shaped switch element portion having an offset portion thereon to facilitate securement of said switch element in said mass of material.

2. A flash light comprising a dry cell, a nonconductive tube housing said cell and extending beyond the upper end thereof, said tube having an aperture in the side thereof, a lamp having one leg wire electrically connected to the upper end terminal of said cell, a switch element having a U.-shaped portion provided with inner and outer legs engaging the upper end of said tube and having the other leg wire of said lamp electrically connected thereto, said switch element having a portion extending lengthwise along the exterior ofv said tube provided with a portion adapted to extend through said aperture and contact the side terminal of said cell to establish aclosed-circuit, and amass of material in the upper end of said tube in which said lamp is partially embedded for irremovably securing said cell, lamp, switch element and tube to pro vide a unitary structure, the inner leg of said U-shaped switch element portion having a recess for receiving and positioning said second mentioned lamp leg wire to secure the same between said U-shaped portion and said tube.

3. A flash light comprising a dry cell, a nonconductive tube housing said cell and extending beyond the upper end thereof, a lamp having one terminal electrically connected to the upper end terminal of said cell and having a second terminal in the form of a wire, a switch element operable to electrically connect the side terminal of said cell and the second terminal of said lamp to establish a closed circuit, and a mass of material in the upper end of said tube in which the base of said lamp is embedded toirremovably secure said cell, lamp and tube and provide a unitary structure, said switch element having a U- shaped clip portion for securing the same to the upper end of said tube provided with inner and outer legs, said inner leg having ofiset tabs thereon for rooting said portion in said mass of material and having a recess between said tabs for receiving said wire to secure the same between said tube and said inner leg.

4. A flash light comprising a dry cell, a nonconductive tube housing said cell and extending beyond the upper end thereof, said tube having an aperture in the side thereof, a lamp having one leg wire electrically connected to the upper end terminal of said cell and having a second leg wire provided with a U-shaped portion engaging the upper end portion of said tube, a switch element having a U-shaped portion provided with inner and outer legs engaging the upper end of said tube and positioned over said U-shaped leg wire portion to clamp the same and form an electrical connection therewith, said switch element having a portion extending lengthwise along the exterior of said tube pro-= vided with a portion adapted to extend through said aperture and contact the side terminal of said cell to establish a closed circuit, and a of material within the upper end portion of said tube in which said lamp is partially embedded for irremovably securing said cell, lamp, switch element and tube to provide a unitary structure.

5. A flash light comprising a dry cell, a nonconductive tube housing said cell and extending beyond the upper end thereof, a lamp having one terminal electrically connected to the upper end terminal of said cell, a switch element operable to electrically connect the side terminal of said cell and the other terminal of said lamp to estah" lish a closed circuit, said switch element having a U-shaped clip portion provided with an inner leg and an outer leg disposed in gripping engage ment with the upper end portion of said tube and having an inwardly facing offset portion. on the inner leg thereof, and a mass of material within the upper end portion of said tube in which the base of said lamp is embedded serving as the sole means for irremovably securing said cell, lamp and tube to provide a unitary structure and having said offset portion of said inner switch element leg rooted therein.

FERDINAND n. MI'J'LLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,260,365 Kerlin Oct, 3, 1916 1,981,544 French et a1. Nov. 20, 193% 2,387,144 Gey Oct. 16, 15MB FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 439,812 Germany Jan. 18, 1927 

